Disappointed in Tangerine Cafe

[kathyg]

I think this was the one CS restaurant I was most looking forward to. My husband and I each got Shawarma sandwich..he chicken, me lamb. I had expected some sides (like hummus) but there were none. My lamb tasted like ground up cardboard...if it wasn't for the onions and tzaziki, it would have been tasteless. I don't know what kind of meat this really was, but it certainly didn't taste like any lamb I'd ever had. The bread was also pretty tasteless. Guess I was expecting something closer to a gyro with a real meat consistency. Maybe next time I will opt for the platter with all the sides. I did see someone eating the meatball platter with rice..it looked yummy. The baklava, too, was really good.

 

[TxRabbit]

I am so sorry that you didn't enjoy your meal there. Don't give up, try the platter next time...

 

[TigerKat]

I think this was the one CS restaurant I was most looking forward to. My husband and I each got Shawarma sandwich..he chicken, me lamb. I had expected some sides (like hummus) but there were none. My lamb tasted like ground up cardboard...if it wasn't for the onions and tzaziki, it would have been tasteless. I don't know what kind of meat this really was, but it certainly didn't taste like any lamb I'd ever had. The bread was also pretty tasteless. Guess I was expecting something closer to a gyro with a real meat consistency. Maybe next time I will opt for the platter with all the sides. I did see someone eating the meatball platter with rice..it looked yummy. The baklava, too, was really good.

I've been thinking we just had a bad plate because no one else has complained. We found the texture of both the lamb and the chicken on the platter very odd to say the least. It was like eating beef jerky.

 

[TxRabbit]

I've been thinking we just had a bad plate because no one else has complained. We found the texture of both the lamb and the chicken on the platter very odd to say the least. It was like eating beef jerky.

I second the odd texture...but mine was more sponge-like and tender rather than tough and chewy...

 

[TigerKat]

I second the odd texture...but mine was more sponge-like and tender rather than tough and chewy...

Ours was definitely tough & chewy. Also I forgot to mention DS got the meatball platter and he didn't care for it at all. I tasted it and it was very bland. Maybe we caught them on a bad day because everyone seems to just love this place, but we surely didn't "feel the love".

 

[MickeyNicki]

We always get the rotisserie chicken and meatball platter. It comes with saffron rice and we order a side of the olive salad...both are to die for.

 

[kathyg]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one to think the "meat" here was a little off. After all the rave reviews I was expecting something exceptional. Maybe they've changed what they are offering, but I will say again that the meat was definitely "mystery".

 

[jess20k]

We were also disappointed when we ate there in Feb. It was awful! I had the Chicken Shawarma Platter and the only thing that was good was the hummus. The chicken was so dry, and did not taste good at all! DBF had the meatball platter, and actually got a slight stomach ache from it. We dined there back in 2000, and had a great dinner. I don't know if we just had an off day this past Feb, but I will not go back anytime soon.

 

[cccm]

We went on 08/18 and I was looking forward to it. DD and I decided to split the Chicken Shawarma so that we could enjoy a snack or two in the afternoon.

The ideas are right but it was a pathetic sandwich. If I was lucky it was a 1/2 inch, including bread. From the pictures I had seen I thought it would be a little more robust. We will be going to try it again the next trip, whenever that might be.

 

[i3utterfli82]

The texture of the meat should be the same as a gyro.

 

[swankybeth]

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your meal. DH and I split the chicken & lamb combo platter on our last trip and it was great. It came with sides and dessert and everything was yummy. We swapped out the regular bread for pita bread, so I can't comment on the bread you tasted.

 

[donaldtutter]

We have had the chicken and lamb platter several times and it has always been very good.

 

[TigerKat]

The texture of the meat should be the same as a gyro.

Should be, but not the case when we were there.

 

[kathyg]

Should be, but not the case when we were there.

I definitely agree with that. It didn't taste or feel like meat at all, maybe something made with grain. YUK!!!

 

[G's mommy]

My son and I gave this CS a try last November and we thought it was awful! Most of it went in the trash.

 

[TigerKat]

I know we're in the minority here, but at least I know it's not just my family who thought it was bad.

 

[SharonLowe]

Their vegetarian platter is delicious! Give it a try next time - no meat to ruin.

 

[Tricia1972]

We always get the rotisserie chicken and meatball platter. It comes with saffron rice and we order a side of the olive salad...both are to die for.

I LOVED their rotisserie chicken. Unfortunately it's not on the menu anymore.

We had their platter in April and were happy with it. We don't like it as much as we liked the rotisserie chicken, but we were happy.


Sorry to hear you guys had bad experiences there.